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Lifestyle

04th Feb 2020

Abused for my face

Rich Cooper

“I can’t send you out to customers looking like that”

These were the words uttered to Phil Gorf during a job interview a number of years ago. Phil was born with a birthmark that covers a large portion of his face, as well as part of his chest, arms and legs.

For much of his life he has faced discrimination and bullying, from being teased by his schoolmates while waiting for the bus to school as a child, to being asked whether his birthmark was “contagious” during a job interview.

Phil is now working with Changing Faces on their #VisibleHate campaign, to help fight appearance-related abuse, and along with his son, speaks about the harassment and prejudice he has suffered.

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